Wide World of Karaoke: Round 1

A high school science teacher. A warehouse worker. A mother. A furniture store employee. A grocery store clerk. A farmer.

Come Friday night, they will all be competing against one another for karaoke singing glory — locals, with nothing but a song connecting them, right here in one of the Magic City's bar venues.

The first round of the inaugural six-month Wide World of Karaoke cycle kicks off at 7 p.m., Friday (June 21) at Vertigo Night Club (1403 S. Morley St.).

Doors to the event open at 6 p.m.

"This is the first of [six] events," said Emma Marquis, with Moberly's Community Enhancement Group — the team putting the event on. "There will be five monthly contests at various locations and [then] a finale with the five previous months winners."

The venues for the event will change after each six-month cycle is complete, Marquis said.

This go-around, the six contests will split time between Vertigo, Lucky's Last Resort (1401 S. Morley St.), and Bud's Place (604 Concannon St.).

This Friday's contest will feature six localites who were nominated by an outside source to compete.

They are as follows:

• Luke Kirkendoll, Moberly, a science teacher at Moberly High School;

• Raymond Finnell, Hannibal, an employee of General Mills;

• Tina Johnson, Huntsville, an employee at Prenger Foods;

• Sarah Hansen (Steele), Moberly, a mother;

• Joe McArtor, Moberly, an employee of Aaron's Inc.;

• and Jacob Keller, Cairo, an employee of 3K Farms.

"We will start taking new nominees as soon as this contest is over," Marquis said. "Only the winner of this competition is prohibited from being nominated again."

Nominations information can be requested from Marquis at 660-651-1673. Nominees have the option of either confirming or denying their participation in a WWK event, she said.

Each contender must submit a list of 10 songs that he or she can perform from, five of which they will actually sing. He or she is allowed to pick their first song of the evening.

"We have had a very large variety of music submitted," Marquis said, of Friday's festivities. "Can't wait to hear them perform."

J Kevin Stone will Friday's emcee.

Winners are chosen in the first five rounds by a combination of audience and hidden judge votes.

"[Votes] from the audience are $1 each, and will go into the respective singer's jar," Marquis said. The contestant with the most money, combined with the highest judge vote will be declared the winner.

"All audience members will be provided judging criteria and score sheets if they would like to keep track of the singers," she added. "For the first five months, there are secret judges in the audience, all with band, music or singing experience. At the finale, we hope to have a few surprises, and the judges will be announced ahead of time.

"There will be no audience votes at the finale."

Another difference between the preliminary rounds and the finals: cover fees. Audience members can watch the first five rounds of competition for free. At the finale, though, $1 will be collected per person, all going to charity.

This Friday, the doors will open at 6 p.m., with the Lucky's menu available, and an open mic karaoke party at Lucky's following. That will be hosted by Davis Entertainment.

Any businesses interested in hosting a WWK contest during a future cycle should contact Marquis, at 660-651-1673.